AS MANY as 20,000 fans are expected to mark the return of Essendon's banned players at tonight's opening JLT Community Series clash against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.

All the stats: Follow the Pies v Dons clash LIVE

Up to seven of the 10 previously suspended Bombers still on the club's list could face the Magpies after season-long anti-doping bans.
 
Former captain Jobe Watson, newly-appointed skipper Dyson Heppell, Michael Hurley, David Myers, Travis Colyer, Heath Hocking and Ben Howlett have all been named for their comeback games.

Check out the teams for the Pies v Dons clash

Essendon is set to unveil No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath, while former Lions forward Josh Green and ex-Giant James Stewart are also in the mix.
 
The Magpies will kick-off a make-or-break 2017 for under-pressure coach Nathan Buckley buoyed by the return of star goalkicker Jamie Elliott from a long-term back injury.
 
Meanwhile, Matt Scharenberg and Jackson Ramsay are both set for comebacks from knee reconstructions.
 
Versatile tall Lachlan Keeffe is also in line to make his return to football 902 days since his last appearance after his two-year anti-doping suspension expired on February 10.
 
Off-season arrivals Chris Mayne (Fremantle), Will Hoskin-Elliott (GWS), Lynden Dunn (Melbourne) and Henry Schade (Gold Coast) have been picked to make their first appearances in black and white.

Eighteen-year-old forward Josh Daicos, the son of Magpies legend Peter, is poised to debut in black and white, with Liam Mackie and Max Lynch other potential first-gamers.
 
Three players will be trimmed from each 29-man squad when final teams are announced ahead of the 7.40pm (AEDT) bounce. Tickets are still available.
 
The pre-season series will also see the introduction of several new rules and interpretations.
 
'Play on' should be called when the ball-carrier is taken high but is judged to have created the high contact (by ducking his head or dropping his knees), while the 'third man up' in the ruck at stoppages has been outlawed.
 
Umpires will also crackdown on deliberate rushed behinds.
 
For the opening two rounds of the JTL series the ball will be thrown up 14m out from goal after a deliberate rushed behind, rather than a free kick being awarded at the top of the goalsquare.